The Vocabulary of Headlines

Headline Word	Meaning	Example
accord *aid *alert axe (v) back (v) *ban *bar bid (n) blast (n) blaze (n) blow boom *boost bring (v) bug (n) call (for) *clash cop (n) coup crook (n) *curb *cut deal (n) drama (n) *drive envoy *exit fear flee (v) gems go (v) go-ahead gunman *halt hail *haul (n) *head held hit (v) horror (n) hurdle (n) jail jet jobless key killing (n) *link loom (v) man mob (n) net net (v) no (n) ordeal (n) oust output pact *pay peril (n) pit plea (n) *pledge *plunge poll press for *probe quit (v) quiz (v) *raid rap riddle (n) *row (n) *scare (n) seek (v) shock (n) slam (v) smash (v) snub (v) soar (v) *split *squeeze storm (n) strife *switch *swoop talks threat (n) toll (n) top tragedy (n) urge (v) *vow walkout wed (v) win (v) woo (v)	agreement help, assistance warning to be on the lookout for smth. cut, close, take away, dispense with support prohibition exclude, prohibit, prevent smth. from happening attempt explosion fire, usually large, out of control disappointment / injury suffered, set-back sudden large beneficial increase help, incentive; lift cause, result in disease, infection, virus demand dispute, violent argument police officer revolution, change in government criminal restraint, limit reduction agreement dramatic action, incident campaign, effort diplomat leave anxious expectation run away from smth. jewels to be knocked down, sold (of property), dismantled (of institutions), resign. approval man with a gun stop welcome, praise large quantity which has been stolen and later discovered lead, direct retained, kept in custody affect badly, adversely horrifying incident obstacle to imprison airplane unemployed essential, vital murder, incident of manslaughter connection approach (of smth. threatening) representative large gang, uncontrolled crowd total capture refusal, rejection painful experience, drama push out, drive out, replace production agreement, treaty wages, salary danger coal mine request for help promise steep fall election, public opinion, survey demand, ask for, insist on investigate leave, resign interrogate attack, robbery strong criticism, reprimand mystery argument, dispute public alarm request surprising revelation (unpleasant) criticize severely break up, destroy turn down, reject (causing offence) increase dramatically divide shortage, scarcity angry reaction, dispute conflict change, deviation sudden attack or raid discussions smth. negative that may happen number of people killed exceed fatal accident, heart-breaking incident ending in death recommend strongly promise strike (often unofficial) marry gain, achieve try to win the favour of	WAGES ACCORD REACHED MAN AIDS POLICE TERRORIST ALERT LABOUR AXE COLLEGES IN TORY TOWNS UNIONS BACK PEACE MOVE BUS BAN ON PUPILS AFTER ATTACK ON CREW SOUTH AFRICA BARS TEAN NEW BAR ON IMMIGRANTS NEW PEACE BID IN RHODESIA POLICE IN LONDON PROBE BLAST FAMILY DIES IN BLAZE CARTER POLL BLOW SMITH ILL: BLOW TO WORLD CUP HOPES SALES BOOM INDUSTRY GETS BOOST FLOODS BRING CHAOS BUG KILLS BABIES BETTER SECURITY CALL STRIKERS IN CLASH WITH POLICE COP IN CAR CHASE DRAMA GENERALS OUSTED IN COUP OAP’S CHEATED BY CROOK NEW CURBS ON IMIGRATION BIG CUTS IN AIR FARES PAY PITS DEAL HOPE CHILDREN IN ZOO DRAMA PEACE DRIVE SUCCEEDS AMERICAN ENVOY TAKEN HOSTAGE EXIT ENVOYS IN RACE STORM ASSASSINATION FEAR HUNDREDS FLEE FAMINE ACTRESS LOSES GEMS CHURCH TO GO PM TO GO? GO-AHEAD FOR DEARER GAS GUNMAN RAIDS 3 BANKS CHANNEL TUNNEL HALT PM HAILS PEACE PLANS CANNABIS HAUL TRAIN ROBBERY:BIG GOLD HAUL BUCHANAN TO HEAD PEACE MISSION MURDER: TWO MEN HELD FUEL STRIKE HITS HOSPITALS PLANE HORROR NEW NURDLE TO PEACE KILLER JAILED THREE KILLED IN JET PLUNGE NUMBER OF JOBLESS INCREASES KEY WITNESS DIES TERRORIST BOMB KILLING MAFIA LINK SCANDAL BREAKS STRIKE LOOMS CARTER MAN IN CHINA MOB ATTACKS KILLER DRUG RAID NETS £1 M POLICE NET ESCAPEES GOVERNMENT NO TO WAGE RISE JAIL ORDEAL ENDS ARGENTINA OUSTS UNION LEADRES INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT INCREASES IN ITALY PITS PACT ENDS PAY RISES FOR MINERS FLU PERIL PIT TALKS END “FREE CHILDREN” PLEA LABOUR PLEDGES HIGHER PENSIONS DOLLAR PLUNGES SWEDISH POLL SHOWS SWING TO RIGHT TEACHERS PRESS FOR PAY RISE NEW VACCINE TO BE PROBED WILL CARTER QUIT? MAN QUIZZED £21.5M DRUG RAID SCHOOL RAP GIRL IN SHOTGUN DEATH RIDDLE BBC BOSS QUITS IN ROW RABIES SCARE HITS BRITAIN FLOOD VILLAGE SEEKS ACTION ROCK STAR SHOCK UNIONS SLAMMED DRUGS RING SMASHED MINISTER SNUBBED TICKET SALES SOAR NATIONALIZATION SPLITS PARTY AT CONFERENCE PETROL SQUEEZE AHEAD MP’S RACIST SPEECH STORM GROWS INTERUNION STRIFE THREATENS PEACE DEAL DRAMATIC SWITCH IN INCOMES POLICY ANNOUNCED DRUG SWOOP IN MAYFAIR PEACE TALKS THREATENED DROUGHT THREAT TOLL RISES TO 100 POST OFFICE PROFITS TOP £40M GUN TRAGEDY PM URGES INQUIRY WOMAN VOWS VENGEAGE FACTORY WALKOUT THREAT OVER SACKING FINANCIER FREE TO WED STEEL WORKERS WIN RISE TORIES WOO HOUSEHOLDERS

* − can be found in headlines as a noun or a verb with this meaning

TASKS TO HEADLINES

A. Bearing in mind that in headlines the maximum impact must be made with the minimum number of strong words choose a match for a longer or a more neutral word

1) increase a) curb

2) restrict b) hit

3) cut c) key

4) affect badly d) boost

5) vital, important e) oust

6) connection/contact f) axe

7) drive out/ replace g) probe

8) investigation h) link

9) mystery i) scare

10) public alarm j) riddle

B. Complete the gaps in the headlines below using the headline synonyms to the italicized words. Rephrase each headline turning it into a full sentence.

1. FLOOD warning ON EAST COAST

2. SMALL SCHOOLS FACE closure

3. HOTEL refuses entry to FOOTBALL FANS

4. SIX DIE IN HOTEL fire

5. SCOTTISH ROAD PLAN GETS approval

6. important WITNESS VANISHES

7. NEW TRADE connections WITH PERU

8. EXILED PRESIDENT promises TO RETURN

9. HAITI QUAKE: number killed COULD REACH 200,000

10. MISSING diplomat mystery: WOMAN arrested

11. BISHOP violently criticizes DEFENCE POLICY

12. JAPANESE WOMEN IN NEW EVEREST attempt

C. Prepare a 10-word quiz. Choose the words from the headlines and ask your group-mates to give their neutral equivalents.

D. Prepare a 10-word quiz. Choose the standard words that have more vivid headline equivalents. Tell these words to your group-mates and ask them to provide their headline equivalents.

E. Look through the newspaper and find the headlines containing the words you have studied in this unit. Present these headlines to the class. Ask your group-mates to interpret them in a full sentence.

CULTURALLY-BOUND ITEMS

Headlines often use culturally-bound abbreviations. Study the table below to see the most typical ones:

BA	British Airways	BA MAKES RECORD LOSS
Brussels	The European Community Parliament and administration	BRUSSELS BANS BRITISH BLACKBERRY WINE
GOP	Grand Old Party – a traditional nickname for the Republican Party in the USA	DEMOCRATS APPEAL TO GOP ON FINANCIAL OVERHAUL
Commons	The House of Commons	MINISTERS IN COMMONS CLASH OVER HOUSING
IRA	Irish Republican Army	IRA LEADER MAKES STATEMENT
Lords	The House of Lords	LORDS VOTE ON DOG REGISTRATION
MEP	Member of the European Parliament	MEPS WANT MORE PAY
MP	Member of Parliament	MP DENIES DRUG CHARGE
OAP	Old-age pensioner, anyone over 65	OAPS MARCH AGAINST WAR PLANS
PC	Police constable	PC SHOT IN BANK RAID
PM	Prime Minister	EGG THROWN AT PM
Tory	Representative of the Conservative Party	VICTORY FOR TORY MODERATES
Ulster	Northern Ireland	PM IN SECRET TRIP TO ULSTER

Apart from abbreviation, headlines often contain culturally-bound items which interpretation requires background knowledge. Identify them in the examples below in and comment on their meaning:

1. Toyota (and Toyoda) in the hot seat (hint – Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda).

2. Toyoda’s performance gets an F (hint – The number of Toyotas being recalled now tops 5.3 million vehicles).

3. Orange Squashed (hint – Ukraine election).

4. Eyes Wide Shut – Western Media over South Ossetian War.

5. Illinois primary: GOP jockeys to make gains in Obama’s home state.

6. Bush and Putin on nicknames terms (hint – ex-president of the US has a habit of giving nicknames to his entourage and political leaders).

7. US awakens Chinese dragon over Taiwan arms deal.

8. McDonald’s dishes up diplomas to go (hint – Fast food chain Mc Donald to offer high school diploma training).

9. St. Tatiana’s Day kicks off winter holidays for Russian students.

10. The black hole that the PIGS [Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain] countries opened is now spreading to other European countries. - Business - Europe's PIGS: Country by country . Just how bad a situation are the PIGS in, and how does that compare with the UK?

REVISION

1. Translate the sentences into English using the vocabulary you have studied:

1. На первой странице газеты мы увидели заголовок «Мир на грани войны». Он занимал почти половину страницы.

2. С тех пор как в этой медиа-корпорации сменилось руководство, тираж ее изданий увеличился почти на 10 000 экземпляров в месяц.

3. В Британии пресса делится на «качественную» и «популярную». К первой категории относятся, например, The Times и the Daily Telegraph. Их отличает серьезная подача новостей. Представители второй категории – The Sun и the Daily Mirror – стремятся нажиться на сенсациях и печатают много фотографий, в основном, знаменитостей.

4. Редакторы обычно очень тщательно подбирают формулировку предложений, которые сопровождают фотографии.

5. Многие воскресные издания выходят с бесплатным приложением, например, с журналом, отрывком из нового романа, путеводителем или диском.

6. Сегодня в газете очень интересная редакторская колонка, в которой приводится мнение издания о последних событиях в Иране. Ситуация в этой стране продолжает оставаться главной темой информационных материалов как в России, так и за рубежом.

7. Новый сериал получил очень плохие отзывы в сегодняшней газете. В издании помещен краткий комментарий эксперта в области СМИ, который назвал сериал «самым худшим продуктом ВВС за последние 15 лет».

SUPPLEMENT 1:

CONFUSABLES:

I. The words PERSPECTIVE, PROSPECT(S), PROSPECTIVE, PROMISING usually prove to be confusing for learners.

PERSPECTIVE stands for точка зрения, ракурс, видение:

The novel is written from the perspective of a child.

His father’s death gave him a whole new perspective on life.

What I aim to provide here is an insider's guide to philosophy from a perspective that is both humanistic and rationalistic.

It may also refer to the ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance:

I tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.

PROSPECT(S) is translated into Russian as перспектива(ы), планы на будущее:

There is little prospect of employment, I’m afraid.

There are good prospects for growth in the retail sector.

Do higher degrees really improve your career prospects?

The expression EVERY PROSPECT means a strong possibility:

We have every prospect of reducing the number of accidents.

PROSPECTS can be STRONG or WEAK, GOOD or BAD.

PROSPECTIVE is an adjective meaning предполагаемый, потенциальный, будущий.

I am meeting a prospective buyer for the house today.

The prospective students visited the university they were hoping to attend.

We got some details on the prospective dealproposed by ourcompetitors.Rate:

PROMISING stands for многообещающий, перспективный.

A promising young man should go into politics so that he can go on promising for the rest of his life (quote by Robert Byrne).

Many a promising career has been wrecked by marrying the wrong sort of woman.

1. Give the English for the following Russian expressions:

Перспективы роста, перспективный сотрудник, потенциальный сотрудник, перспективы трудоустройства, перспективный журналист, многообещающий репортер, перспектива развития, потенциальные студенты, серьезные перспективы, потенциальный работодатель.

2. Use these expressions in sentences of your own.

3. Translate the sentences into English paying attention to the words discussed in this section:

1. Вчера в Кремле Президент России обсуждал перспективы развития российских печатных СМИ с главными редакторами крупнейших газет и журналов.

2. Репортер журнала New Yorker представляет свою точку зрения на ситуацию в Китае и оценивает перспективы развития китайской экономики на ближайшие несколько лет.

3. Сегодня компания проводит конкурс среди потенциальных сотрудников, чтобы выявить самых талантливых и многообещающих кандидатов.

4. Каждый год факультет проводит «Дни открытых дверей» для потенциальных студентов.

5. К сожалению, перспективы трудоустройства большинства людей, не владеющих хотя бы одним иностранным языком, остаются очень невысокими.

6. С этой точки зрения, в его решении назначить нового главного редактора, нет ничего нового или сенсационного.

7. Есть очень большая вероятность слияния нескольких российских медиа-компаний в одну крупную.

8. Это молодой перспективный журналист. Он подготовил серию самостоятельных репортажей, посвященных самым актуальным событиям жизни региона.

II. The verbs RISE, RAISE, ARISE, AROUSE usually cause a great deal of confusion with learners:

RISE is translated into Russian as расти, подниматься, увеличиваться. It is an intransitive verb, which means it cannot be followed by a noun/pronoun without any preposition:

Oil prices have been rising for a month.

RAISE is translated into Russian as поднимать, увеличивать. It is a transitive verb, so it is normally followed by a noun/pronoun without any preposition:

The government is planning to raise the income tax.

ARISE is translated into Russian as возникать, случаться. It is an intransitive verb thus it has no direct object:

Unfortunately, situations like these arise regularly.

AROUSE is translated into Russian as вызывать (интерес), провоцировать, пробуждать. It is transitive, so it takes a direct object:

The political situation in the Ukraine usually arouses a great deal of comment in the Russian media.

1. Consult the dictionary to complete the table with the forms of the 4 verbs:

PRESENT	PAST	PAST PARTICIPLE
RISE
RAISE
ARISE
AROUSE

2. Study the sentences below and say if the 4 verbs have been used correctly. Correct the mistakes you find.

1. The bank might raise the interest rate.

2. The interest rate will raise.

3. A problem arose with our account.

4. It arose a problem.

5. It will not arise this problem again.

6. The bank will rise the prices soon.

7. His latest book has aroused a lot of debate.

8. Prices rose by 3% last year.

9. Our supplier rose their prices last year.

10. The bank is going to raise our credit level.

11. The odd sight aroused our curiosity.

12. Their prices raised in April.

13. It arises a problem.

14. Let’s hope nobody arises this issue.

15. He arised a problem at the meeting.

16. The new building proposals in the village are arising unneeded discomfort.

17. The same problem might arise on the new account.

18. This rises a problem.

19. The rate of inflation is rising steadily.

20. The sight of the poor mother, studying late into the night, arised sympathy from her children.

3. Complete the gaps using the appropriate form of RISE, RAISE, ARISE, or AROUSE.

1. The company’s turnover …………….. dramatically last year.

2. That’s a good point. I’ll ……………… it at the next sales meeting.

3. Some difficulties ……………. when we tried to install the new software.

4. I’m afraid a rather serious problem has ……………….

5. The media mogul hopes to …………. interest in Israel.

6. In the last six months 10 museums have been robbed and this number is has been ………………. steadily over the last few years.

7. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve has been to Tokyo to discuss the problems which have ………………. from the pressure in Congress to tackle the deficit.

8. The government ……………………… interest rates last month.

9. There is news that interest rates are to be ……………… by an average of half a percentage point in the US.

10. I hope the problem of late payment will not …………………. again.

11. His absence caused doubts to …………… in my mind.

12. His absence ………………. doubts in my mind.

D. Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Данное событие продолжает вызывать большое количество комментариев в российской и зарубежной прессе.

2. Подобная проблема может возникнуть вновь, если правительство не примет своевременных мер.

3. Решение правительства повысить некоторые налоги может негативно повлиять на положение малого и среднего бизнеса.

4. В последние 5-7 лет доходы компаний, занятых в медиа-бизнесе, стабильно росли.

5. Назначение этого крупного бизнесмена министром финансов вызывает некоторые сомнения у влиятельных обозревателей.

6. Вопрос взаимодействия СМИ и власти поднимается на каждом крупном международном форуме.

7. Сокращение расходов на образование вызывает озабоченность у общественности.

8. Его последняя работа вызвала много споров у критиков.

9. Сегодня в редакторской колонке говорится о том, что проблема транзита газа в Европу может возникнуть вновь.

10. Факт опубликования подобных материалов в прессе вызывает серьезную озабоченность, однако, мы надеемся, что такая ситуация не возникнет снова.